Antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of the Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: Our previous in vitro study showed that 50% ethanolic extract of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther (GE50) exhibited an inhibitory effect on angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). This study was aimed at evaluating the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of GE50 extract on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).RESULTS: Daily oral administration of GE50 extract (2.5 g kg−1 body weight) for 4 weeks exhibited a significant decrease in blood pressure as well as ACE activity of tested tissues in SHR rats, while no significant change was found in normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). For SHR, GE50 extract increased the total antioxidant status in the plasma and decreased malondialdehyde levels in all tested tissues. Furthermore, GE50 extract increased α‐tocopherol and glutathione levels in brain tissue, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in heart, as well as catalase activity in liver tissue. In WKY rats, GE50 extract only increased ascorbic acid level in liver tissue.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that GE50 might serve as an antioxidant and an ACE inhibitor in convalescence from hypertension in rats. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry